Hello friends, I am somewhat back. Still very sleepy, but hey. I figured I should probably write about game shows if my voice is dead.
June has been a big month for game shows. We had a “National Game Show Day” on June 1st (that just happens to be parallel to the launch of Buzzr, Fremantle’s Game Show Channel) and last week, a Game Show Marathon.
I have not watched Game Show Marathon, but I can only assume there were some inside jokes I wouldn’t get, some improv comedy, and probably a bunch of people having a fun time playing game shows of all types to raise money for charity.
But the other one, the one that was more “Closer” was the Quiz Show Expo. And all I can guess is so many people called it “Game Show Expo” and had to get corrected multiple times, but the SEO wouldn’t want it to be called “Game Show Expo” because it would be buried under “Tokyo Game Show”, Japan’s answer to E3 (Oh, and Summer Games Fest Happened, so it feels like a merging of everything I do all at once, did I miss a hamburger contest?)
Anyway, it is simply put - not fair, for me to criticize a Quiz Show Expo, a place I didn’t go to. Because all I could go off of is photos and video, and speculate wildly.
Based on photos, it was somewhat of a fan convention, lots of people who were game show hosts, assistants, producers, voice-overs, etc appearing, and most likely signing autographs and saying hello.
The list of names, are some real gems from game shows of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Plus, a few authors of books. It, at least to me, felt like a convention? But,, it also felt… it needed more?
While Fremantle did offer a lot to the event, including sending a Big Wheel from The Price is Right (See above), a Zonk from Let’s Make a Deal and a bunch of goodies, including the 2000s “Whammy!” costume.
It just seems like not a lot going on. Which, I think, for something like a Game Show Convention, would be wild.
While some notes include panels about game shows such as Pyramid and Match Game, reviews of the event (which is all i could go off of) also say it felt more like a podcast.
Lots of meet-ups and lunches and hey cool, i know this guy happened. And that is awesome.
They even had a Quiz Show ABOUT Game Shows, and they also had “The Remotes”, a band that covers TV Themes perform. Which, to me, always screams “Fun Time” (Because I am a sucker for TV Theme Covers)
BUT HERES THE THING…
Even though, it felt like a celebration of game shows. It just feels like the thing could’ve should’ve been a whole lot better.
AND HERE’S WHAT I WAS THINKING….
Yes, Fremantle having it with National Game Show Day and lauching Buzzr is great. However, maybe I am completely in the wrong, and this is just “Blue Sky Ideas” - but I think this was way too niche.
You have to have people who, love game shows, can fly/travel to LA, and have disposable income for all the goodies.
When, in an ideal version of this… it needs to feel like a game show expo.
What I mean by that, is that this should feel like a Press Event, mixed with an Interactive Museum (much like the stuff from Strong), mixed with screenings, mixed with “Play Along”, the key component to this.
That means, at least to me, a huge focus should have been made on the MODERN Game Shows that are out. The shows that, as of right now, make up a great chunk of Broadcast Primetime, make up a great chunk of Streaming, and a great chunk of Syndication and, of course, Fox Daytime and Game Show Network.
Much like what was E3 for me, this “Game Show Expo” that I have in my head, should be nothing but pressers for, essentially EVERY MODERN GAME SHOW OUT THERE
So, here’s a quick list of them, just in case.
Wheel of Fortune
Jeopardy!
Both of those can do an open-audition at this place, as they are known to do around the country (Or even if it’s just “Dude with a laptop wanting people to take the Jeopardy Test”)
Family Feud
Let’s Make a Deal
The Price is Right
Those three Fremantle shows had some presence at the Expo, rather it was the Wheel, the Zonk, or Steve Harvey on video saying “Happy Game Show Day, What The Fuck Is That?”
But, now, let’s expand it, shall we.
GSN needs publicity, and they know, hey, you’re a game show fan, at this game show convention thingy. Maybe. it’s a good time to show you what we have.
America Says
Master Minds
People Puzzler
Chain Reaction
Blank Slate
Hey Yahoo
Beat The Bridge
Switch
And I’m sure I’m forgetting dozens of shows, But having the convention be a place to watch “The Exclusive Sneak Peak First Episode of Our New Series Beat The Bridge” would be a huge marketing boom.
Additionally, given the simplicity of these games, it would be the place to have that “interactive stage game” to show how the game works, and offer up your goodie-bag swag stuff. like the GSN Water Bottle as a game unfolds.
It might not be 24HGSM, but it can have that dignity involved.
Which also leads to FOX Syndication
25 Words or Less
Pictionary
Person Place or Thing
Great shows that could use that “Hey, check your local listings” bump that would ne neat.Having maybe a small booth for an hour or so where people play the games also, helps.
Then, you could have a small Q&A Session, maybe this is when you bring out Bob Eubanks, or when you bring out comedians from “Funny You Should Ask”, and have that bit of a publicity stop. that would be better to coordinate, than, a morning news getting that Zoom Call.
AND AGAIN, MODERN OF THE MOMENT SHOWS
This is when, you NEED The Networks and Streamers to bring in the crowds.
Deal or No Deal Island showing up for the Hollywood & Highland, is just a small taste.
You’re NBC Universal, bring on stuff from the current offerings.
Here’s the American Ninja Warrior Course
Here’s a Chair from “The Voice”
Here’s the Buzzer from America’s Got Talent, photo-op
Here’s some footage from the next season of “The Wall”
Here’s some Jane Lynch Standees and a “Weakest Link” podium.
Password, sneak preview, let’s explain “Shoot the Moon” and “Prize Password”
What’s that? You have “Deal or No Deal Island” to showcase, maybe a mock game?
Hey, you have THE TRAITORS, the bonafide hit among reality-show fans.
What’s this? You have the exclusive first look at “Destination X”, the ultimate game of “Where are We?”
You’re FOX, and you have all the goodies because of your track record of reality-comp and game
Hey, Here’s The Floor, we’re casting now.
Hey, come up on stage and play “Don’t Forget the Lyrics”
Here’s a sample quiz from “The 1& Club”, check out our show Monday Nights
Can you “Beat Shazam”? Here’s our mini game.
Hey, Name That Tune’s Bid-a-Note play along and guess.
Here’s a trailer for “World’s Toughest Test”, here’s the celebrities going into military training.
Hey, here’s the trailer for “Hells Kitchen” next season.
Hey, here’s the trailer for “Next Level Chef”
Hey, here’s the trailer for “Masterchef” (or here’s some contestants from “Master Chef” with a food demo)
Hey, Food Star is our new show, check out some of the products they have.
And hey, while you’re here…
Look! Costumes from “The Masked Singer” up-close.
Here’s a clip from “I Can See Your Voice”
Here’s a clip from “Crime Scene Kitchen”
Here’s some lego builds from “Lego Masters”
Hey, look, it’s a fascimile of Balls from “The Quiz With Balls”
And guess what? PEOPLE WOULD LOVE IT!
Game shows move on very fast, so Fox getting a huge advantage over this.
DISNEY, can show off ABC’s Offerings for the Summer Fun & Games
Fremantle bringing trailers and “The Whammy” to plug Press Your Luck
Celebrity Wheel and Jeopardy (see above)
Look, Claim To Fame is Back, can you guess who are contestants are related to?
Please check out the FIRST EPISODE of “Lucky 13”, our new quiz show.
American Idol is coming back, look at our “Hall of Idols” of all the winners of this singing show.
Hey, hey, why stop there?
CBS, and Paramount Plus, has the Reality.
So, hey, look, here’s SURVIVOR STUFF, the longest running reality-comp game show, go sell some buffs and look at the torches from the season, MAYBE DO THE MEET AND GREET WITH THE CONTESTANTS
Hey, look, Big Brother is coming up, LOOK HERE’S ZINGBOT, look here’s the Golden Power of Veto in a plexi-glass box.
Oh look, here’s the sneak peak of “The Summit” coming soon.
Hey look, we are playing LINGO, here’s RuPaul with a small video.
Hey, look, Amazing Race is coming back, and here’s the first 10 minutes revealing the first country they visit.
Hey, Look, Hollywood Squares news. (maybe)
And, maybe, just maybe, you show-off some of the stuff from Paramount+, like The Challenge, and "MTV’s “Are You The One?”
Blurring the lines, just enough of game show and reality show.
WHICH BRINGS ME TO STREAMING
Hey, Netflix, where’s the “Floor is Lava” clips.
Hey Netflix, let’s see a cake from “is it cake?” and play along.
Maybe, show one of the Solitary-style pods from “Love is Blind”
Maybe, give us some cool props and scenes from “The Mole” and “Squid Game: The Challenge”
HEY AMAZON, you have “007: Road to a Million” show the breifcase having a trailer.
You have “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” Perfect time to please alll those switfies by having a small photos and clips, so they read a little too-much into a game show.
Pop Culture Jeopardy? Bring on the Tryouts.
Hey, Beast Games is coming up, here’s some Mr Beast merch to sell, but also, hey, maybe try and go on this game show for $5,000,000.
American Gladiators is coming up, you can meet a gladiator, or just bring out the Atlasphere or the Pugil Sticks.
And yes, OBVIOUSLY, DROPOUT SHOULD SHOW OFF GAME CHANGER THERE
Get some of their improv actors to play a game of “Make Some Noise” and “Um Actually” or even a small version of “Game Changer” that can be played exclusively there, to get more people to check out the unscripted offerings there..
By having these new shows be the focus, and having it be this interactive press junket for the public, you will catch not just “People who love game shows who want to skip WEHO Pride” and turn it more into “A thing for the public to show up and go “wow, game shows are everywhere now on television”.
Because, then you bring on the kids who do the Gordon Ramsay memes, then you get the grown ups who might not have watched the original “Press Your Luck”, but have seen a buttload of “Survivor” and you can get that merging of “Well, maybe, I will give this new show a try”.
You get the people who love Buzzer, getting that wing of classic game shows, getting their time to talk about “Whew!”, and then seeing “Beat the Bridge” at the GSN booth and going “Maybe I will give that show a try”
Because, in my mind. Game Shows are always evolving, but they are meant to be fun, and interactive and enjoyed by everybody. And I think if you were ever, going to try this. It will need many PR Teams, Street Teams, and large amounts of staging, just to fill a convention center for a few days, and be THE PLACE to announce your “We are rebooting Sale of the Century” news, and your “Wheel of Fortune is bringing back the Double Play Space” announcement. To people who might care just enough, because oooh gameplay things.
And of course, you could have this WHILE Game Show Marathon is also going on, to have all your bases covered. Some people who like “Split Second” can get the old version, the GSN reboot, and most likely a slightly NSFW version at a charity event.
Because, holy shit, game shows are everywhere. I forgot about “The Circle”, I forgot about “Jet Lag”, I forgot about CW and their “Trivial Pursuit” and “Scrabble” shows.
It just feels, like something as fun as game shows, deserves that little fun experience. And I really hope there is one next year, or in the near future, that can showcase them off.
And, provides that fail-safe - even if the future is streaming, and FAST channels like “The Barker Era”, booths and fun interactive experiences.
But it will ultimately come down to if all these media places would be able to play along.
Because everybody wants to spin the big wheel and see that giant telephone, JUST GIVE THEM MORE OF THAT, PLEASE
